What are the Ducks going to do?

Join the discussion about the Blues.

[Complete Blues coverage on STLtoday.com]

Moderators: STLtoday Forum Moderators, Blues Talk Moderators

IsDurbanodoingtime
Forum User
Posts: 1245
Joined: 23 May 2024 16:17 pm

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by IsDurbanodoingtime »

Hockey Pete wrote: 08 Jul 2026 10:52 am
Backesdraft wrote: 08 Jul 2026 10:28 am
Army's Mom wrote: 08 Jul 2026 10:05 am Y'all act like 4 lottery tickets are worth more than a franchise center. 18M is an overpay, and 5 yrs is a bitter pill to swallow, but on the plus side after those 5 yrs he may not even be due much of a raise.

As for the "take the picks and see if you can trade them" route, Army had 4 picks to dangle in THIS draft (more valuable than future picks), and the best he could come up with is Mason McTavish and 2 prospects. You're not flipping PHI's four first rounders for someone of comparable value, period.

The only reason theyre waiting is because either theyre trying to massage their cap as much as they can before committing, or ownership has told Verbeek to not touch anything because he's about to get fired. Either way, their only options are to match or start over.
I am 100% in the camp of matching. Yes, it’s an overpayment today but in a couple of years it won’t be. And who the heck knows what those 4 draft picks end up being.

Not to mention, the message this sends your fan base. Ducks are finally relevant again. Can’t tear it down again now.
The only thing that REALLY gives me pause about matching is that they're probably waiving goodbye to Gauthier and any help on Defense (which they sorely need). Tough spot for sure.
And Sennecke next season. The espn article in the other thread posted today reported that Carlsson in a player interview with Petersson said last summer he would have been more than happy to sign at around 9.5 aav but that Verbeek wanted to grind him down and wait to a deal -- the same approach with McTavish etc. Well now he has cost his boss another 45 million on top and cap hell because of being an obdurate old school hard (donkey). He has (bleep) that team either way. I would can him in a second.
Backesdraft
Forum User
Posts: 1072
Joined: 15 Mar 2019 07:23 am

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by Backesdraft »

IsDurbanodoingtime wrote: 08 Jul 2026 11:13 am
Hockey Pete wrote: 08 Jul 2026 10:52 am
Backesdraft wrote: 08 Jul 2026 10:28 am
Army's Mom wrote: 08 Jul 2026 10:05 am Y'all act like 4 lottery tickets are worth more than a franchise center. 18M is an overpay, and 5 yrs is a bitter pill to swallow, but on the plus side after those 5 yrs he may not even be due much of a raise.

As for the "take the picks and see if you can trade them" route, Army had 4 picks to dangle in THIS draft (more valuable than future picks), and the best he could come up with is Mason McTavish and 2 prospects. You're not flipping PHI's four first rounders for someone of comparable value, period.

The only reason theyre waiting is because either theyre trying to massage their cap as much as they can before committing, or ownership has told Verbeek to not touch anything because he's about to get fired. Either way, their only options are to match or start over.
I am 100% in the camp of matching. Yes, it’s an overpayment today but in a couple of years it won’t be. And who the heck knows what those 4 draft picks end up being.

Not to mention, the message this sends your fan base. Ducks are finally relevant again. Can’t tear it down again now.
The only thing that REALLY gives me pause about matching is that they're probably waiving goodbye to Gauthier and any help on Defense (which they sorely need). Tough spot for sure.
And Sennecke next season. The espn article in the other thread posted today reported that Carlsson in a player interview with Petersson said last summer he would have been more than happy to sign at around 9.5 aav but that Verbeek wanted to grind him down and wait to a deal -- the same approach with McTavish etc. Well now he has cost his boss another 45 million on top and cap hell because of being an obdurate old school hard (donkey). He has (bleep) that team either way. I would can him in a second.
As this thing progresses, I do wonder if Verbeeks days are numbered. It’s hard not to bemoan the fact that he severely overplayed his hand here. If you’re the Ducks ownership and you have to foot the bill for this, how much flexibility can ya give him?
Army's Mom
Forum User
Posts: 1144
Joined: 21 Aug 2024 10:23 am

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by Army's Mom »

Backesdraft wrote: 08 Jul 2026 11:32 am
IsDurbanodoingtime wrote: 08 Jul 2026 11:13 am
Hockey Pete wrote: 08 Jul 2026 10:52 am
Backesdraft wrote: 08 Jul 2026 10:28 am
Army's Mom wrote: 08 Jul 2026 10:05 am Y'all act like 4 lottery tickets are worth more than a franchise center. 18M is an overpay, and 5 yrs is a bitter pill to swallow, but on the plus side after those 5 yrs he may not even be due much of a raise.

As for the "take the picks and see if you can trade them" route, Army had 4 picks to dangle in THIS draft (more valuable than future picks), and the best he could come up with is Mason McTavish and 2 prospects. You're not flipping PHI's four first rounders for someone of comparable value, period.

The only reason theyre waiting is because either theyre trying to massage their cap as much as they can before committing, or ownership has told Verbeek to not touch anything because he's about to get fired. Either way, their only options are to match or start over.
I am 100% in the camp of matching. Yes, it’s an overpayment today but in a couple of years it won’t be. And who the heck knows what those 4 draft picks end up being.

Not to mention, the message this sends your fan base. Ducks are finally relevant again. Can’t tear it down again now.
The only thing that REALLY gives me pause about matching is that they're probably waiving goodbye to Gauthier and any help on Defense (which they sorely need). Tough spot for sure.
And Sennecke next season. The espn article in the other thread posted today reported that Carlsson in a player interview with Petersson said last summer he would have been more than happy to sign at around 9.5 aav but that Verbeek wanted to grind him down and wait to a deal -- the same approach with McTavish etc. Well now he has cost his boss another 45 million on top and cap hell because of being an obdurate old school hard (donkey). He has (bleep) that team either way. I would can him in a second.
As this thing progresses, I do wonder if Verbeeks days are numbered. It’s hard not to bemoan the fact that he severely overplayed his hand here. If you’re the Ducks ownership and you have to foot the bill for this, how much flexibility can ya give him?
Verbeek was screwed the second that quote came out. That's just devastating on so many levels. How can you ask fans to invest in the team after this if you keep Verbeek?

In fact, THAT might be the one reason not to match. If you keep Carlsson, it's a constant reminder of the failure of this regime. If I owned the team, I'd want to move on quickly. Can Verbeek, let Carlsson become PHI's problem, and hire a new GM committed to retaining the other young players we're developing.

And hope and pray we can find another franchise center without drafting in the top 5. Maybe Roger "Don't Call Me Lightning" McQueen?
Backesdraft
Forum User
Posts: 1072
Joined: 15 Mar 2019 07:23 am

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by Backesdraft »

Army's Mom wrote: 08 Jul 2026 11:49 am
Backesdraft wrote: 08 Jul 2026 11:32 am
IsDurbanodoingtime wrote: 08 Jul 2026 11:13 am
Hockey Pete wrote: 08 Jul 2026 10:52 am
Backesdraft wrote: 08 Jul 2026 10:28 am
Army's Mom wrote: 08 Jul 2026 10:05 am Y'all act like 4 lottery tickets are worth more than a franchise center. 18M is an overpay, and 5 yrs is a bitter pill to swallow, but on the plus side after those 5 yrs he may not even be due much of a raise.

As for the "take the picks and see if you can trade them" route, Army had 4 picks to dangle in THIS draft (more valuable than future picks), and the best he could come up with is Mason McTavish and 2 prospects. You're not flipping PHI's four first rounders for someone of comparable value, period.

The only reason theyre waiting is because either theyre trying to massage their cap as much as they can before committing, or ownership has told Verbeek to not touch anything because he's about to get fired. Either way, their only options are to match or start over.
I am 100% in the camp of matching. Yes, it’s an overpayment today but in a couple of years it won’t be. And who the heck knows what those 4 draft picks end up being.

Not to mention, the message this sends your fan base. Ducks are finally relevant again. Can’t tear it down again now.
The only thing that REALLY gives me pause about matching is that they're probably waiving goodbye to Gauthier and any help on Defense (which they sorely need). Tough spot for sure.
And Sennecke next season. The espn article in the other thread posted today reported that Carlsson in a player interview with Petersson said last summer he would have been more than happy to sign at around 9.5 aav but that Verbeek wanted to grind him down and wait to a deal -- the same approach with McTavish etc. Well now he has cost his boss another 45 million on top and cap hell because of being an obdurate old school hard (donkey). He has (bleep) that team either way. I would can him in a second.
As this thing progresses, I do wonder if Verbeeks days are numbered. It’s hard not to bemoan the fact that he severely overplayed his hand here. If you’re the Ducks ownership and you have to foot the bill for this, how much flexibility can ya give him?
Verbeek was screwed the second that quote came out. That's just devastating on so many levels. How can you ask fans to invest in the team after this if you keep Verbeek?

In fact, THAT might be the one reason not to match. If you keep Carlsson, it's a constant reminder of the failure of this regime. If I owned the team, I'd want to move on quickly. Can Verbeek, let Carlsson become PHI's problem, and hire a new GM committed to retaining the other young players we're developing.

And hope and pray we can find another franchise center without drafting in the top 5. Maybe Roger "Don't Call Me Lightning" McQueen?
Very interesting approach and I can’t say that I’m 100% against it. Again, I do wonder what the fanbase thinks, and what the majority are rooting for as far as an outcome is concerned.
BalotelliMassive
Forum User
Posts: 1913
Joined: 24 May 2024 10:31 am

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by BalotelliMassive »

You have to match and then throw three lines of goons at Philly every time they play over the next five seasons.
zamadoo
Forum User
Posts: 2671
Joined: 23 May 2024 15:11 pm

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by zamadoo »

BalotelliMassive wrote: 08 Jul 2026 12:05 pm You have to match and then throw three lines of goons at Philly every time they play over the next five seasons.
If ANA offered Bedard $20M AAV over 5 years, would you match?
BalotelliMassive
Forum User
Posts: 1913
Joined: 24 May 2024 10:31 am

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by BalotelliMassive »

zamadoo wrote: 08 Jul 2026 12:10 pm
BalotelliMassive wrote: 08 Jul 2026 12:05 pm You have to match and then throw three lines of goons at Philly every time they play over the next five seasons.
If ANA offered Bedard $20M AAV over 5 years, would you match?
For sure - Chicago doesn't have cap problems
zamadoo
Forum User
Posts: 2671
Joined: 23 May 2024 15:11 pm

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by zamadoo »

BalotelliMassive wrote: 08 Jul 2026 12:12 pm
zamadoo wrote: 08 Jul 2026 12:10 pm
BalotelliMassive wrote: 08 Jul 2026 12:05 pm You have to match and then throw three lines of goons at Philly every time they play over the next five seasons.
If ANA offered Bedard $20M AAV over 5 years, would you match?
For sure - Chicago doesn't have cap problems
They have a bit more time and fewer old vets to expire or move, but otherwise I wouldn't say ANA has cap problems. It's just that they started to move forward to push for the playoffs before Chicago, and would now be looking to probably take a step back before another step forward.
IsDurbanodoingtime
Forum User
Posts: 1245
Joined: 23 May 2024 16:17 pm

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by IsDurbanodoingtime »

Maybe Verbeek can extricate himself by pawning off Kreider and Killorn ( but then he has two holes on lw). But waiting to make the offer sheet after verbeek spent stupid money on Greer was a master move and then using the inherent greed (maybe not the most accurate connation) of a player that screwed you to screw Verbeek. Just well played.
MandatoryDenial
Forum User
Posts: 614
Joined: 24 May 2024 08:39 am

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by MandatoryDenial »

DawgDad
Forum User
Posts: 9400
Joined: 16 May 2019 10:58 am

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by DawgDad »

MandatoryDenial wrote: 08 Jul 2026 18:38 pm https://www.yahoo.com/sports/articles/d ... 33988.html


Just came up onnmy feed fwiw
Welcome to Edmonton, South of the border.
IsDurbanodoingtime
Forum User
Posts: 1245
Joined: 23 May 2024 16:17 pm

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by IsDurbanodoingtime »

DawgDad wrote: 08 Jul 2026 18:54 pm
MandatoryDenial wrote: 08 Jul 2026 18:38 pm https://www.yahoo.com/sports/articles/d ... 33988.html


Just came up onnmy feed fwiw
Welcome to Edmonton, South of the border.
Now Carlason has to produce. Be careful what you wish for.
dhsux
Forum User
Posts: 5276
Joined: 23 May 2024 17:18 pm

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by dhsux »

JK92
Forum User
Posts: 2059
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:03 pm

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by JK92 »

dhsux wrote: 08 Jul 2026 20:18 pm Pretty direct hit from ESPN:

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/492 ... -robertson
The Dallas stuff:

I don't see them being OK without Robertson. Way too much goes through Johnston and Robertson. and they still rely on the old farts (too much)- mins.

JMO
BleedingBleu
Forum User
Posts: 1731
Joined: 30 Nov 2025 07:19 am

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by BleedingBleu »

MandatoryDenial wrote: 08 Jul 2026 18:38 pm https://www.yahoo.com/sports/articles/d ... 33988.html


Just came up onnmy feed fwiw
I’m not a contracts guy. So, this doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me…
The deal also reportedly includes close to $40 million in bonuses during the first twelve months of the contract
That cannot be correct, right?
BleedingBleu
Forum User
Posts: 1731
Joined: 30 Nov 2025 07:19 am

Re: What are the Ducks going to do?

Post by BleedingBleu »

dhsux wrote: 08 Jul 2026 20:18 pm Pretty direct hit from ESPN:

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/492 ... -robertson
Brutal, but 100% fair and accurate…
Pat Verbeek should be fired

Look at all the teams that signed their potentially vulnerable pending RFAs with months to spare and money saved:

Edmonton signed top defenseman Evan Bouchard last June before he could be given an offer sheet, locking him in at $10.5 million AAV.

Montreal signed star defenseman Lane Hutson at an $8.85 million AAV last October.

Utah signed center Logan Cooley at a $10 million AAV last October.

Los Angeles signed defenseman Brandt Clarke at a $7.4 million AAV in June.

Montreal locked up Ivan Demidov a year before restricted free agency at a $9.15 million AAV on July 1.

But that's not how the Ducks operate. They grind. They try to win the war of attrition in talks, which is why Jamie Drysdale, Mason McTavish and Trevor Zegras all missed training camp time during RFA contract talks in seasons past. All three are no longer in Anaheim.

The Ducks also don't like to hand out contracts like the one Carlsson signed, where $83.5 million of his $90 million will be paid out in buyout-proof signing bonuses. The combined signing bonus money on the Drysdale, McTavish and Zegras extensions? Zero.
Image